Who is a Prophet?

MEMORY VERSE: “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” —Hebrews 1:1,2, RSV

IN THE Bible the word “prophet” is often applied to public expounders of God’s message. In the Old Testament, however, it is mostly applied to those whom God inspired by his Spirit to foretell coming events as they related to Israel and to mankind in general. In this case the word “seer” would probably be the most accurate.

These inspired seers of the Old Testament uttered short-range prophecies which had their fulfillment in the experiences of Israel, for they were sent specially to Israel. When necessary they also reprimanded Israel for her sins. Besides this, they gave long-range prophecies pertaining to the development of important features of the divine plan for human salvation. They foretold the first and second advents of Jesus; his death as man’s Redeemer; the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; the call and development of those who would be associated with Jesus in the messianic kingdom, and they foretold the glorious restitution blessings which would reach the people through the administration of that kingdom.

These prophecies—many of them also in the nature of promises—set forth God’s plan of salvation for the lost race, and it is mostly to these that our memory verse refers. Jesus’ ministry was in full harmony with the testimony of the prophecies, and complemented the same. His ministry, and later the ministry of the inspired apostles of the New Testament, served to explain, and thus to give vital meaning to the testimony of the Old Testament prophets, the combined result being that God has thus revealed his divine plan of the ages to his people.

LESSON PASSAGES

AMOS 3:1,2

In this passage the Lord said to Israel, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” The Israelites were God’s chosen people, and they were very special to him. He blessed them in keeping with his promises, and he expected them to be obedient to him. But many times they failed to heed the instructions of the Lord. This tendency toward disobedience continued until they lost their kingdom, and when they rejected Jesus they ultimately lost their national existence.

Jesus referred to the attitude of the Israelites toward God’s prophets, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee.” (Matt. 23:37) They did the same with Jesus, putting him to death on the cross, hence their scattering among the nations until this end of the age, when, in fulfillment of other prophecies they are being regathered.

HOSEA 8:1-3

Here another prophet calls attention to Israel’s transgressions, and calls upon them to repent. These warnings against transgressions and calling to repentance constitute a large portion of the prophetic writings of the Old Testament.

ISAIAH 6:8

God gave Isaiah a vision in which he saw the Lord “high and lifted up.” He said, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” God enlightens those whom he would send into his service.

MICAH 3:5-8

Micah warned the people against listening to false prophets. False prophets usually tell the people what they want to hear, and are not concerned with the true Word of the Lord. True prophets listen to the Lord and speak what they know to be his message; while false prophets base their messages on human wisdom, motivated often by their desire to become popular with the people. They are not concerned with the will of the Lord.

But the Lord’s blessing is not upon false prophets, and those who listen to them usually end up being confused and in darkness. Ultimately the false seers themselves become ashamed, “and the diviners confounded” But Micah was not one of these false prophets. He was filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and was able to “declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.” He did not prophecy to please the people.

QUESTIONS

What is the meaning of the word “prophet”?

What was the threefold prophetic ministry of the Old Testament prophets?

What is one of the characteristics of a false prophet?

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